Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-05
THE LEE MONUMENT.
Action OF TIE COMMITTEES on
STREETS AHD FINANCE.
Refusal to Recommend the Adoption Of
Mr.. starke's ordinancs-aov-
ernor Lee Present.

FINANCE huu OtitCso WINS hrih ~ s"
Council chamber yesterday evening at
$50 o'clock. The object OF the meet
ing was to consider the ordinance in
troduced IN the Common Council by
Mr.. Starke appropriating money TO aid
in the erection Of the Lee monument
This ordinance proposed to make an
appropriation Of $50, 900 TO aid In erect
ing the monument and a sufficient sum
of money besides to grade, gutter, and
curb Franklin and Grace streets and
Park avenue, extended, and all the
cross streets intervening between LON.
hardy and a new street TO be opened
one square beyond the proposed monu-
ment site, the said appropriations condi-
toned upon the gift by the various
property-owners TO the city OF all the
proposed new streets and to the Lee
Monument Association the site and
such land for parks, &C., as may be ne
cessary.
Governor Lee, Colonel Archer Ander,
son, and City-Engineer Cutshaw were
present upon invitation, and majority
of the members of the two committees
were in attendance. Mr.. Pizzini pre-
sided.
After the ordinance was read the
president asked Governor Lee If he had
any views to present that the committee
would be glad to hear from him.
covppxoR rFP
The Governor said he had previously
had the pleasure of addressing the
Council +; that few days ago the Lee
Monument Board had met and instruct
ed him to write to the Council asking
why no action had been taken in regard
to the Lee monument This he had
been directed to do before they knew
of the meeting of the committee this
evening. Later the Board decided to
accept, with slight changes, the ordi-
nance offered by Mr.. Starke as the en-
bodiment of their views, and he so in
formed the committee in letter which
he read and presented, in order that it
might have some distinct proposition
before it. The letter says:
/ am instructed to say that this pro-
posed ordinance (Mr, Starke's) embo-
dies the views of the Lee Monument
Association with the exceptions of sec
tions and 7, and / hereby transmit,
on the part of the Association, amend-
ments to those sections. As Legislative
action will be required, and as the Gene,
raj Assembly viii soon convene, and
as the time is rapidly approaching du'
ring which work on the foundation fos
such monument can be commenced
and prosecuted, l respectfully request
that the Council may take action a3
promptly as possible upon the proposif
tons herewith submitted by our Asso-
citation.
WHAT WAS ASKED.
In reference 10 the Allen lot as the
site, the Governor said it was offered to
the Board, and no member of the Board
except Colonel Anderson has any in
terest in property in any part OF the
city.
The Governor claimed that the exc
penditure of $40, 900 by the city to open
up avenues, &c, would be good in
vestment, and it would be paid back 70
the city in a few years by increased
taxable values. He knew of sever.l
parties who would build near the pro-
posed site as soon as the Council de
cided to vote $40, 900 to commence the
work. The Governor spoke very briefly,
and concluded by saying that Colonel
Anderson would give some figures Oh
the subject.
COLONEL ANDERSON.
Colonel Anderson was called upon,
and said the Boards only objection to
Mr.. Starke's ordinance was that it was
too large in it's scope, and they thought
certain notifications necessary. The
Allen heirs propose to give about eleven
acres, because they think that the
monument will add value to their sur
rounding property. Colonel Anderson
was sure that the city would be bene'
fted by the erection OF the monument
on that site.
"IN THE COUNTRY"
Mr.. Owen moved that the ordinance
be laid on the table. He was opposed
to appropriating all that money to put
a monument in the country. The coun-
try out there (west of Richmond Col
lege) Is not built up, and it will not be
in this generation. He was sure the
ordinance would not pass both
branches, and he proposed at the next
meeting Of the Council to offer reso-
luton instructing the Committee on
Finance to provide $40, 900 to aid in the
erection of the monument, provided it
be placed in one of the city parks.
MIR. Starke hoped the matter would
not be laid on the table. He was op
posed to subterfuges, and hoped the
issue would be met squarely-eithei
vote for or against.
Mr.. Starke moved that the committee
report to the Council that it is expe
dent to adopt the ordinance. Lost
ayes and 5 noes
Mr.. Owens substitute was also los.
by the same vote.
Mr.. Starke moved that the ordinance
be adopted. He thought that the do
nation of these eleven acres OF land
would be equivalent to gift Of Sj5,
600, and he thought that the city would
get "value received" for the money
expended in improving the streets.
A vote was then taken on the ordi-
nance. with the amendments of the
Governor, which were accepted BY
Mr.. Starke, and lost by a vote OF
9 to 4.
The committee at once adjourned.
THE SITUATION.
There is no indisposition on the part
of the people TO have the Council vote
600. COO TO the Lee monument. The
question is simply as to the site. Libby
Hill was selected years ago by the
Ladies' Association :. but upon the con
solidation of the State Association and
the Ladies' Association the Allen lot
was selected as the place for the monu-
ment.
The Allen lot is west OF Richmond
College. Libby Hill is at the east end
of the city. The fight is not wholly,
but to some extent, between the up
town and downtown people. CANDLES
Hill and Monroe Park are also men
toned as suitable locations.
1t is believed that the action OF the
committees yesterday evening voices
the sentiment of the present City Coun-
Gil. But it will not be expected that
the Monument Association viii take